- Period
- Late Gothic
- Date
- c. 1537–1540
- Collection
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Object no.
- 1991.157
Frontispiece Miniature from the Manuscript of a Poem by Guillaume Crétin: Debate Between Two Women
Master of Francis I, c. 1537–1540
Cleveland Museum of Art · John L. Severance Fund · Public domain
- Maker
- Master of Francis I
- Date
- c. 1537–1540
- Medium
- ink, tempera, and liquid gold on vellum
- Dimensions
- Sheet: 27.1 x 20.1 cm (10 11/16 x 7 15/16 in.)
- Period
- Late Gothic
The record
Why it matters
This leaf is one of four surviving miniatures from the only known illuminated manuscript of the poem Débat entre deux dames sur le passetemps des chiens et oyseaux by Guillaume Crétin. The poem takes the form of a debate between two women, represented here, who argue at length as to the relative merits of hunting with falcons versus hunting with dogs. The volume was likely made as a presentation copy or gift for King Francis I (1515-1547). This artist is known to have painted many miniatures for the king as well as for other members of the court during the 1530s.